PROJECT OVERVIEW
The WAVES project is an inclusive initiative that uses the appeal of water sports to promote health, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability across Europe. Focused on accessibility, WAVES aims to bridge participation gaps by offering eco-friendly water sports events for underrepresented groups such as older adults and individuals with fewer opportunities.
The project integrates sustainable event practices and educates participants on reducing environmental impacts. By aligning with the European Green Deal, WAVES raises awareness about how sports can help tackle climate change while promoting physical well-being and social inclusion.
OBJECTIVES
- Empower youth in rural and remote regions, providing them with the tools and skills to lead social change.
- Develop youth-driven solutions to combat rural depopulation, migration, and isolation.
- Create a European Youth Council for rural and marginalized areas to foster youth engagement and policy advocacy at the local, national, and EU levels.
- Promote democratic participation and social inclusion by facilitating dialogue and community-driven policy proposals.
- Develop practical tools and proposals for improving the attractiveness and sustainability of rural areas for youth.
HOW DO WE ACHIEVE IT
- Participatory Action-Research (PAR) Training: train youth in PAR and Reciprocal Maieutic Approach (RMA) to develop a comprehensive understanding of migration and rural challenges, empowering them to co-create solutions.
- Workshops and Listening Sessions: youth will lead workshops to gather and analyze migration stories, focusing on push and pull factors influencing migration decisions.
- Geo-localized Podcast Development: Participants will create podcasts to showcase the experiences of rural youth, their communities, challenges, and opportunities.
- Policy and Action Proposals Paper: a co-created policy paper with concrete recommendations for rural development, focusing on youth retention and sustainable practices.
- International Networking: Opportunities for rural youth to connect with peers across Europe, strengthening the European youth network.
- Advocacy and Public Engagement: engage in policy advocacy at local, national, and EU levels to ensure youth perspectives are included in decision-making processes.
PROJECT PARTNERS
- Hellenic Swimming Federation (HSF) – Greece
- SOCIACT KOMVOS KOINONIKIS KAINOTOMIAS AMKE (SOCIACT NGO) – Greece
- Cyprus Sport Organisation (CSO) – Cyprus
- AY INSTITUTAS (AYI) – Lithuania
Project Manager
